Portales man found not guilty

A Portales man accused of kidnapping and beating his estranged wife was found not guilty of all charges Friday by a District Court jury in Portales.

Manuel Gonzalez, 25, was charged with felony kidnapping, false imprisonment and battery against a household member, according to his attorney Michael Garrett.

Garret said the jury deliberated about an hour.

The charges stem from an incident in February. Police accused Gonzalez of kidnapping his estranged wife from work and holding her hostage in his car during a wild, high-speed drive, then punching her when she tried to escape the vehicle.

Assistant District Attorney Matt Andrasko prosecuted the case and wasn’t immediately available for comment.